Lahore: Encroachments around 124 historical sites to be razed

[Naveed Yaseen]

THE government will demolish encroachments around 124 historical buildings in the provincial capital, the Lahore district coordination officer said on Friday.

The DCO in a meeting with the Punjab Archaeology Department said illegal encroachments were built around 124 out of 144 historical buildings in the City.

The government will demolish illegal encroachments around the 124 historical buildings, he said. These buildings were the country’s precious cultural heritage, he said.

The DCO ordered all departments concerned to take action and report back to him within three days.

The meeting was briefed that boundaries of 53 monuments in Data Ganj Bakhsh Town had been made and 57 illegal encroachments had so far been removed from there.

The tomb of a French officer’s daughter at Kari Bagh Laik Road Purani Anarkali has an area of 48 kanal 16 marlas and 164 square feet. The DCO said that notices were sent to Najam Hostel, Al-Meraj Marriage Hall, Munshi Chamber, Rana Chamber, Habib Bank and Custom House to vacate the encroached land.

In Ewing Hall, Neela Gumbad, the Municipal Corporation had sold three kanals nine marlas and 137 square feet area. The estate director was directed to provide a report on the land in a meeting to be held on July 18.

Lakshmi building, McLeod Road, on an area of four kanals 13 marlas and 203 square feet and two shops had already been demolished in the area.

34-A McLeod Road is the residence of Doctor Allama Muhammad Iqbal on an area of eight kanals four marlas and 121 square feet under the federal government. Three shops had been set up there. The official concerned was ordered to submit a report on these shops.

On Circular Road, Barkat Ali Hall is on seven marlas and 121 square feet and it is under the Auqaf Department. The department gave this area on rent to 25 shops. The DCO ordered the Auqaf Department to cancel the agreement with these shops.

Four shops were given on rent on the land of the tomb of Hazrat Abu-al-Maai which is on two kanals and 66 square feet. This land is owned by the federal government and Mehtab Deen s/o Noor Deen.

The Auqaf Department was ordered to cancel the agreement with these shopkeepers.

Six houses were given on rent by the Auqaf Department on six kanals one marla and 175 square feet area at the tomb of Hazrat Mauj Darya Bukhari.

This land is owned by the federal government and Mehtab Deen. The Auqaf Department was ordered to cancel the agreement and submit a report on July 18.

Eight shops were given on rent by the Auqaf Department on the tomb of Hazrat Shah Ahmad Ismael on an area of 11 marlas and 145 square feet. This land is owned by the Punjab University.

The Auqaf Department was ordered to cancel the agreement.

DDO® Cantt and the Samanabad town municipal officer were directed to submit a report in the next meeting regarding the progress made towards removal of encroachments from the tomb of Zaib-un-Nisa, Behru Mandar Pir Ghazi Road, tomb of Qaisra Zaib-un-Nisa, Multan Road, tomb of Saddar-ud-din near Main Bazar Qadirpura Bund Road, tomb of Rustam, Multan Road, Darbar Shah Kamal, Chowk Chauburji building.

The meeting also issued instructions to the Auqaf Department regarding 19 illegal encroachments in Shalimar Town, 44 shops around Wazir Khan Mosque in Ravi Town, 58 shops at Hamam Wazir Khan inside Delhi Gate, 248 shops at the land of Mariam Zamani Mosque Masti Gate.

The meeting was briefed that 40 kanal land at Mian Mir and Mian Natha graveyards in Aziz Bhatti Town had been encroached on and declared as Katchi Abadi by the LDA. Instructions for demarcation of tomb of Budu GT Road in Gulberg Town were also issued in the meeting.

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